International travel in the United States faced fresh disruption after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) temporarily suspended the Global Entry program during an ongoing partial government shutdown. The fast-track airport system, used by more than 13 million travelers, was halted as funding for DHS lapsed in mid-February. After weeks of criticism from lawmakers and travel industry groups, the Trump administration announced the program would finally be restored.
DHS confirmed that Global Entry would resume operations on March 11 at 5:00 AM ET. Officials said the decision was aimed at reducing airport disruptions that have been growing during the shutdown. The funding standoff, now stretching into its fourth week, has already created visible travel strain at airports across the country, with long security lines and staffing shortages affecting passengers.
Why Global Entry was suspended during the DHS shutdown
The disruption began when DHS funding expired on February 14 after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill. Without new funding, the department began adjusting operations to prioritize core security functions. On February 22, DHS announced that it would stop processing Global Entry travelers at participating airports.
At the time, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem explained that staff normally assigned to Global Entry duties would be redirected to support the broader traveling public. According to DHS, the move was intended to help maintain security and manage regular passenger screening during the shutdown.
“As DHS continually evaluates measures it can take amidst the Democrats’ continued shutdown of the department, DHS will be reactivating Global Entry on March 11th at 5:00 AM ET,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.
The shutdown itself stems from a broader political dispute over immigration enforcement policies. Democrats in Congress have proposed new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration officers. Their proposals include requiring judicial warrants for certain home arrests, mandating visible identification for agents, and limiting the use of face coverings during operations.
Republicans have strongly opposed several of those measures, arguing they could weaken enforcement efforts and make it harder for immigration authorities to perform their duties.
What the Global Entry program does
Global Entry is a trusted traveler program operated by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It allows preapproved US citizens and lawful permanent residents returning from international trips to bypass traditional passport-control lines and use automated kiosks at participating airports.
Applicants must pay a fee, undergo a background check, and complete an in-person interview before receiving approval. Once accepted, members can use the program for up to five years.
More than 13 million travelers are currently enrolled in Global Entry. Because those travelers undergo extensive vetting, officials have long described the program as both a convenience and a security measure. By pre-screening low-risk travelers, authorities can focus more attention on passengers who require additional inspection.
Full details about eligibility and enrollment remain available through US Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program page.
Airport delays worsen as staffing shortages grow
The suspension came at a particularly challenging time for US airports. Travelers at multiple airports reported extremely long lines at security checkpoints and border control areas as staffing shortages began affecting operations.
Even though essential security functions continue during a shutdown, many government employees are forced to work without immediate pay. This situation has created operational stress in several parts of the transportation system.
Security lines at airports across the country have stretched for hours in some cases, frustrating passengers and raising concerns among travel experts. With Global Entry unavailable during this period, frequent international travelers were forced to rejoin standard customs lines, adding further pressure to an already strained system.
The situation also affected trusted traveler programs more broadly. DHS briefly suspended domestic TSA PreCheck services during the shutdown, although that decision was quickly reversed after public backlash.
Lawmakers and industry groups criticize the move
The suspension of Global Entry sparked immediate criticism from Democratic lawmakers and travel industry organizations. Critics argued the decision unnecessarily disrupted airport operations and created problems for travelers who had already paid for expedited processing.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the administration of using airport disruptions as a political tactic during the shutdown negotiations. Meanwhile, Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, said the move appeared designed to “punish the American people.”
Travel industry leaders also warned that suspending the program could create additional security risks by diverting resources away from higher-risk travelers.
The US Travel Association said Global Entry plays an important role in both efficiency and national security. In a statement, the organization emphasized that the program’s rigorous vetting process allows border officers to focus more attention on travelers who have not already been screened.
Industry representatives also argued that the suspension would increase operational costs and weaken security infrastructure that had taken years to develop.
What the program’s restoration means for travelers
The decision to restore Global Entry is expected to ease some of the pressure building at US airports. With the program active again, eligible travelers will once more be able to use automated kiosks when returning from international trips instead of waiting in standard inspection lines.
While the reopening should improve the experience for frequent flyers, experts say it may take time for airport operations to fully stabilize. Long security lines and staffing challenges could continue as long as the DHS shutdown remains unresolved.
Still, the return of Global Entry removes one major point of disruption for international travelers. For the millions of passengers who rely on the program to move quickly through US airports, the restoration offers a welcome sign that at least some parts of the travel system are returning to normal.
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